Brandon Sorensen
New London — In a fitting end to the saddest story in the world, Brandon Walter Sorensen died Tuesday, March 9, 2021, as the result of an apparent overdose. He was only 34 years old.
Brandon was a vibrant, creative, intelligent, charming, hilarious person. And while these remained his celebrated traits until the very bitter end, they were greatly diminished over time as he was gripped by addiction at the tender age of 19. Consequently, the last 15 years marked a painstaking, heartbreaking, harrowing journey through the legal and medical systems as he and his family battled his disease. He has died despite dozens of stays in rehab facilities, hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in the hope of his recovery and countless hours of heartache felt by him and by those who loved him so deeply, yet couldn’t save him. This is the disease. This was his reality.
In Brandon’s all too short life, while he held a series of jobs in local coffee shops and hotels, he was unable to develop a real vocation or career path. He never got married or had children of his own, even though he loved and connected with kids easily, having wanted to be a dad from a young age. He never got a real chance to pique an interest in a hobby or even to get close with a new, solid groups of friends. Instead of experiencing these joyful milestones into adulthood, Brandon experienced a wide array of different hospital rooms, prison cells, counselors’ offices, courtrooms and “wrong place, wrong time” beyond-stressful situations. He was subjected to all manner of humiliating and dehumanizing treatment by people who were supposed to have been helping him get better. Every single day was a struggle for him replete with obstacles big and small — some of his making, but many of which were foisted upon him through no real fault of his own. All as a result of the disease of addiction, which swiftly and completely rewired his brain when he took his first hits all those years ago. He had nothing but potential, and now he is gone.
Brandon was very proud to have been “born on the Bayou” (Baton Rouge, La.) and was the beloved son of Patricia Sorensen, who predeceased him in 2014, and Steven Sorensen, who survives him, formerly of Waterford. He is also survived by his sister Victoria Mueller (Timothy); and brother Christopher Mioducki (Paula); as well as his nephews, Fritz, Haydn and Daniel; and niece Samantha. He also leaves his longtime companion Jennifer Dixon, and her children, whom he loved and cared for, Serenity, Damien, Anika and Alex. In addition to a large and loving family whose members are all devastated by his loss, Brandon leaves a bevy of friends from the past and present who mourn his exit.
Of course, Brandon was so much more than his death and disease. Even as a child he claimed to be “on a different level” and he certainly was. He loved to play baseball and was a talented pitcher, having played in college, and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees. He loved rap and hip-hop culture and was often scribbling lyrics on scraps of paper, amassing notebooks of his songs over time, telling many that Brandeezy/Brandogg/ Brandizzle was a far more gifted emcee than Eminem. No dispute there. Brandon was a passionate fan of professional wrestling, a fandom which blossomed when he was young and never truly waned. He loved wrestling and being “beat up” by his nephews — ever the kid at heart. He was extremely kind-hearted and cared deeply for the welfare of his fellow human beings. Most of all, he loved his family very much.
Services for Brandon were private. Memorial donations in his honor may be directed to Alliance for Living, 154 Broad St., New London. But really, the best way to honor Brandon’s memory is by educating yourself and others on the disease of addiction; by treating strangers with empathy, generosity, kindness and compassion; and by respecting this disease and the basic human dignities of those afflicted by it. Brandon knew he couldn’t beat it. Please, let’s find a way to help the millions of others out there who still hold hope that they can. Condolences may be shared on Brandon’s memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.